President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin sent congratulatory message to President Julius Maada Bio following his re-election.

“Please accept my sincere congratulations on the occasion of your re-election to the post of President,” Putin said.

He added by reminding Bio of the traditional relationship that has existed between the two nations for decades now.

“I hope that your activity of Head of State will further contribute to the development of bilateral cooperation for the benefit of our peoples,” the Russian President said.

The congratulatory message was transmitted from the Russian Embassy in Conakry, Guinea to Sierra Leone’s Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Bio was re-elected with 56 percent narrowly escaping runoff with the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC), Samura Kamara.

Kamara, however, rejected the result citing several irregularities. He said the results do not reflect the will of the majority.